[Italionstallion888]

I have a 10g tank that I set up many months ago. Originally I was using a HOB filter rated for 10g. While it kept the tank clean, it was way to much movement for the betta. There was not adjustment for his HOB so I ditched it for a zoomed 501 that was on sale. The zoomed 501 became just as big of a head ache. I felt it was under powered and required cleaning every 3 days, I mean wire brush down the tubes, cleaning the sponge to keep the flow from becoming a trickle. Finally frustrated with the amount of mulm and just the tank always looking dirty I took the entire thing down.

I'm good on the light and heater, those are working well. I'm stuck on the filtration. I DO NOT have the room for a canister, or I would be putting an eheim on there yesterday. I started this tank off, before the hob with a simple sponge filter. I kept having the tank cycle with it for some reason and it killed my betta. Thus, the upgrade to the hob.

I feel like there is not filtration option for me. I'm not sure what to do, the tank is currently sitting empty waiting for dirt and some manzanita coming in.
I either need
a very very low profile canister filter
figure out how to make the zoomed501 work better
a hob suited for a 10g that lets me adjust the flow to my needs

What should I do? I don't really want anything in take as they tend to take up a lot of room.

 

[Italionstallion888]

I could clean the tubes on the zoomed 501 monday and my wed they were back to just utter black bio clogged smelly mess and the flow was not enough to even move the top of the water around.

Plants were growing slow but growing

The hob I got in trade, not sure of the name. I'm currently using it on my 55g, it's working fine for that lol. The only way to adjust the flow on this one, was a blue thing that sits on the output that you raise or lower to increase/decrease flow. Not a very good design.

I found there was a constant amount of mulm on the substrate, even after a water change and sucking 99% of it up, within a few days it was all back. I think that is what has been clogging the zoomed. I wasn't impressed with the quality of it either, the connections never stayed tight on the tubes, screw it down and the tubes would come right out. I don't plan on using it again.

If I go with a standard sponge filter, does it have to run 24/7, reason I ask, my air pump is one with 2 outlets, so one goes to the 55g directly above and the other into the 10g, but I only run the air pump (timer) at night and a few hours broken up during the day. I would love to go with a sponge as I would reduce one plug in, which would clean up the area a lot.

 

[Italionstallion888]

This is all great info, yup the previous sponge was on a 4 on 4 off cycle. I didn't even think about that. Duh! move for sure.
The best placement for a hob on this tank would be placing it to flow from the side. I might extent the out put. I would need to decrease the running water sound. Might try making one of the baskets and growing something in it. Would I be ok placing it there?

My thoughts on the zoomed, with the input being rather large slits, after cleaning its sucking in everything, to powerful when clean, causing it to clog faster. I might just turn it into a pump for water changes.

 

[Italionstallion888]

Crypticlifestyle I agree, im going for most real estate possible. I think im going to replace my jager heater with a colbalt neo heater. I have a 25w on my 8.7 and its a little gangster.
Hob will be my only option. Does placement of the hob affect the functionality?

 

[Italionstallion888]

There was 1 fish, 3 shrimp and a few snails. Could it have come from the mopani?

 

[Italionstallion888]

I use a Tom's Rapids canister. It is small and hangs on the back. Reduce flow by making larger holes in the spraybar. Just a thought

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I didn't see much of a difference between Tom's rapid and the zoomed 501, I went with the 501 b/c of a petco sale.

 

[Italionstallion888]

Thats an excellent idea mott

 

[Italionstallion888]

I've ran HOB's for a long time, I just never did anything to improve them. I've been on a big diy kick for the last year thanks to this site.

Would any dollar store sponge work? I would love to build a spillway and grow some fissdens or something in it. I'm going to the lfs tonight to see if he has the ac20 or marina instock. I know I can get a better deal online, but I like giving this store business. They treat me right and he always hooks me up on plants when I go in.

 

[Italionstallion888]

Fantastic, woo whoo for projects this weekend. Still waiting on my manzanita to get here. Then I can really get into this project.

 

[Italionstallion888]

I would have to place this one going across the tan side to side. My wife just hates the sounds of running water. I had to switch all my tanks to canister filter when we moved. I ran a AC50 on my 55g without issue for years. I just wasn't sure if placing a hob on the side would give me proper flow throughout the entire tank. Guess I can test it. :cheers:

 

[Italionstallion888]

I came home with an AC20, after looking at the options. I liked the fact the output is on the right side. It will fit nicely for what I have to work with.

 

[Italionstallion888]

I put the filter together yesterday afternoon. I ditched the carbon and doubled up the media. I stuck it on my 29g to get the media going. 24 hours later and the 29g looks cleaner than it ever has. Now i can just use the eheim for flow on the hairgrass. Its staying on the 29g and I will be buying another for the 10g.